Gina Martin Wilson was 31 years old when she married the lead guitarist of the famous rock band, The Beach Boys. Gina relished their close companionship; however, life took a turn when her husband died.
Gina Martin Wilson was born Gina Martin. Her parents are Jeanne Martin and Dean Martin. Her father was a famous actor and singer in the mid-1900s. Gina was born on December 20, 1956, and grew up in California.
Her husband, also born in California on December 21, 1946, was integral to the Hawthorne, California rock band, The Beach Boys. The band was formed by her husband, Carl Wilson; his brother, Brian Denis; their cousin, Mike Love; and their friend, Al Jardine.
Dean Martin, Gina Martin, and Carl Wilson at La Famiglia Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, on January 13, 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Gina Martin Wilson's Husband, Carl Wilson, Had a Crush on Her before They Even Met
Gina and Carl exchanged vows in 1987. However, there was a lengthy build-up to their eventual commitment. Carl, previously married to Annie Hinsche, was secretly attracted to Gina and eventually told her brother, Ricci Martin. Ricci played wingman and invited Carl to one of his bands' shows, knowing that Gina would be there.
Carl made the most of this opportunity. He spent the night flirting with Gina, subsequently inspiring mutual feelings. They began dating, and after a while, Gina's mother became concerned about them living together out of wedlock for a long time.
She would verbalize this toward Gina and eventually confronted Carl with the question during dinner at her house. The couple had been dating for seven years when Carl asked Gina to marry him, and she said yes.
Carl Wilson, Dean Martin, Gina Martin, Ricci Martin, and Courtney Callahan on January 13, 1983, at La Familiga Restaurant in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gina Martin Wilson Gained Bonus Children Following Her Marriage
After spending seven years feeling the relationship out, Carl and Gina married in a Presbyterian church in Las Vegas. The Beach Boys members and the bride's divorced parents: Jeanne Biegger and Dean Martin, were all in attendance. Carl's children from his previous marriage were the best man and maid of honor.
Carl played the neutral role, dressed in his Grey Tuxedo. The bride wore an Elizabethan off-white gown with lace trimming and topped her look off with a garland that matched her bouquet of lilies and champagne roses.
The couple rode off into their new chapter. Carl, 40 at the time, and Gina, 31 at the time, moved out to a charming mountain resort at the Caribou Ranch near Boulder, Colorado. Their new home was a popular spot for famous people in those years. British Singer Elton John recorded his album "Caribou" in those parts.
Gina spent many years married to Carl, and they did not have children together. However, she did not hold back on building a relationship and spending time with his children. On one occasion, she was seen with her husband and his son at Pierre Cossette's Super Bowl XXI party at Chasen's.
Justyn Martin Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Gina Martin Wilson at Pierre Cossette's XXI Super Bowl party at Chasen's in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gina Martin Wilson Accompanied Her Husband in Public Outings until His Early Death
Gina was the daughter of a famous actor and musician, Dean Martin, and married to The Beach Boys' lead guitarist. This gave her many opportunities to make public appearances at prestigious Hollywood events, family outings, and dinners. Being the social butterfly she was, Gina would not shy away from the spotlight.
In 1995, Gina was spotted with her mother and her husband after an outing in LA. The couple stopped for photos before parting ways with her mother and heading home. Sadly, everything changed for Gina in 1998 when her husband of 11 years lost his life to a battle with lung cancer on Saturday, February 7.
Carl will be remembered for singing some of the band's most memorable songs, like "Good Vibrations," to name one. Since her 51-year-old husband died in 1998, Gina has not made public appearances.
It is unknown whether she remarried, and the happenings of her life remain a mystery. Carl was survived by his wife, Gina; his two sons, Jonah and Justyn; and his brother Brian.
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